A community (Welsh: cymuned) is a division of land in
WalesWales that forms
the lowest tier of local government in Wales. Welsh communities are
analogous to civil parishes in England. In 2016 there were 870
communities in Wales.
Until 1974
WalesWales was divided into civil parishes.[1] These were
abolished by section 20 (6) of the Local Government Act 1972, and
replaced by communities by section 27 of the same Act. The principal
areas of
WalesWales are divided entirely into communities. Unlike in
England, where unparished areas exist, no part of
WalesWales is outside a
community, even in urban areas.[1]
Most, but not all, communities are administered by Community councils,
which are equivalent to English parish councils in terms of their
powers and the way they operate. Welsh community councils may call
themselves town councils unilaterally and may have city status granted
by the Crown. In Wales, all town councils are community councils.
There are now three communities with city status: Bangor,
St AsaphSt Asaph and
St Davids. The Chair of a town council or city council will usually
have the title Mayor (Welsh: maer). However, not every community has a
council. In communities with populations too small to sustain a full
community council, community meetings may be established. The
communities in the urban areas of the cities of Cardiff,
SwanseaSwansea and
Newport do not have community councils.[2][3][4]
As of the
United Kingdom Census 2001United Kingdom Census 2001 there were 869 communities in
Wales. More than 730 have a council (i.e. 84%).[1] They vary in size
from
RhayaderRhayader with an area of 13,945 hectares (34,460 acres) to Cefn
Fforest with an area of 64 hectares (160 acres). In the 2001 Census
they ranged in population from Barry with 45,053 recorded inhabitants
to
Baglan BayBaglan Bay with no permanent residents.
The twenty-two principal area councils are required to review the
community boundaries within their area every fifteen years.[5] The
councils propose changes to the Local Democracy and Boundary
Commission for Wales, which prepares a report and makes
recommendations to the Welsh Government. If the Welsh Government
accepts the recommendations then it implements them using a statutory
instrument.[6] For example, in 2016 four new communities were created
in the City and County of Cardiff.[7]
See also[edit]